Is Jimmy Buckets Brooklyn Bound? Odds on Where Butler Will Play in 2018-19
- Jimmy Butler has asked to be traded from Minnesota after just one season with the Timberwolves
- Will Tom Thibodeau cave in and pull the trigger on a deal?
- What kind of package can Minnesota expect in return?
Jimmy Butler could be headed to his third team in three years. The disgruntled guard met with Timberwolves Head Coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday and demanded to be traded from Minnesota after just one season with the franchise.
Timberwolves: “Here are our plans for this sea-“
Jimmy Butler: pic.twitter.com/PXLQQcTMTT
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 19, 2018
Butler expressed his desire to be dealt to the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, or New York Knicks, a trio of deep-pocked clubs with the capacity to sign him to a five-year max deal when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Sportsbooks picked up the news, and are offering odds on where Jimmy Buckets will ply his trade when the 2018-19 season tips off.
Where Will Jimmy Butler Play Game 1 of the 2018-19 Season?
| Odds on Which Team Jimmy Butler Will Be On For Game 1 of the 2018-19 Season | Odds |
|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +150 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +300 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +350 |
| New York Knicks | +375 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +800 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +900 |
| Boston Celtics | +1100 |
| Golden State Warriors | +3300 |
Minnesota Timberwolves
Demanding a trade and actually getting one are two different things. Thibodeau has known of Butler’s displeasure for quite some time and is reportedly in no rush to trade his biggest star. He understands better than anyone the impact Butler can have, and knows it wasn’t a coincidence that Minnesota ended its 14-year playoff drought during Butler’s first season with the Wolves.
Jimmy Butler: I’m requesting a trade.
Thibs: pic.twitter.com/Nkvds92ZL7
— The Ringer (@ringer) September 19, 2018
Keeping Butler in the Twin Cities against his will may not be a good look for the franchise, but Minnesota has its hands tied. It’s never been a desirable destination for free agents and will only get pennies on the dollar for Butler now that his trade demand has gone public.
Minnesota has never been a desirable destination for free agents and will only get pennies on the dollar for Butler now that his trade demand has gone public.
Minnesota’s best play is to hold onto Butler and hope that he takes his frustration out on opponents rather than the team’s front office.
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn GM Sean Marks must have thought it was Christmas morning when he heard Butler wanted to be dealt to the Nets. The four-time All-Star would instantly become the team’s best player and would hasten their rebuild overnight.
No matter what happens with Butler, the idea that a 4 time NBA All-Star at the height of his career wants to join the Nets is a HUGE affirmation of what Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson have accomplished since taking over in mid-2016.
— NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) September 19, 2018
At this point, Marks should view everyone on Brooklyn’s roster as expendable after the franchise finished with a sub .500 record for the fourth consecutive year.
Jimmy Butler Career Statistics
| Year | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 22.2 | 5.3 | 4.9 | 2.0 |
| 2016-17 | 23.9 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 1.9 |
| 2015-16 | 20.9 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 1.6 |
| 2014-15 | 20.0 | 5.8 | 3.3 | 1.8 |
| 2013-14 | 13.1 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 1.9 |
| 2012-13 | 8.6 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 1.0 |
| 2011-12 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
New York Knicks
It isn’t hard to imagine New York becoming a beast in the East with a lineup featuring Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, and Las Vegas Summer League sensation Kevin Knox.
Would Knicks stay away from a 2019 free agent if he’s available via trade? Steve Mills: “What we’re not going to do is trade away assets to get a guy that we can go get on our own later.”
Props to @AnthonyMSG for prescient follow-up question that’s timely now w/ Jimmy Butler news pic.twitter.com/sYKaDhtHIh— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) September 19, 2018
There’s just one catch. Knicks president Steve Mills told fans earlier this week that he would not surrender valuable assets for a player who could be available via free agency. Will Mills stick to his guns or will he ship Frank Ntilikina and Tim Hardaway Jr to Minnesota in a New York minute?
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers desperately need an injection of star power after trading Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and losing DeAndre Jordan in free agency. Butler would fill the void perfectly and would give LA’s “other team” an A-lister to rival LeBron James.
The Clippers would likely have to bid adieu to Tobias Harris and either Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Jerome Robinson, but that’s the price of doing business when an established star like Butler hits the market.
Bank on Butler Going to Brooklyn
There’s a growing trend in the NBA of players having their trade demands met before training camp. It happened in Cleveland with Kyrie Irving, in New York with Carmelo Anthony and, more recently, in San Antonio with Kawhi Leonard. Teams around the league are becoming increasingly aware of the futility of holding onto players whose hearts are elsewhere.
Minnesota will clue in soon enough, and when they do they’ll trade Butler to Brooklyn. The Nets can offer a surprisingly attractive package centered around former #2 draft pick DeAngelo Russell, emerging center Jarret Allen, and defensive menace Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. All three players are 23 or younger and would fit in well with the Timberwolves’ enviable young core. Toss in a second rounder or two, and this deal is as good as done.
Ryan worked as an Editor and resident Lead NBA and MLB Writer for SB from 2017-19. He has authored his own weekly columns for Fox Sports and AskMen, and has created successful campaigns for the WWE, the NHL, and the NFL. Ryan's critically acclaimed stories have been published in 20 books.
